Prevention: THE HEARTBEAT OF WOMEN’S HEALTH
As a cardiologist, my passion has always been prevention. A mission born not just of science, but of the countless heartbreaks I have witnessed in my career. I dream of a day when my office is filled with women determined to rewrite their health stories — not because they have endured a lifethreatening event, but because they have chosen to embrace prevention as an act of self-love and empowerment.
Imagine a world where women prioritize their own well-being, where heart disease is no longer the No. 1 killer lurking in the shadows of our lives. Picture a reality where self-care is celebrated as a necessity, not a luxury.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and often overlooked. February, as American Heart Month, offers the perfect opportunity to shift the narrative. Let’s make this the year we commit to taking control of our health through lifestyle changes, risk factor management, a collective effort to prioritize heart health and the courage to seek help before it is too late.
Many women hesitate to accept diagnoses like high blood pressure or high cholesterol because they fear it labels them as “unhealthy” or “old.” I understand those feelings. But let me tell you this: accepting a diagnosis is not a sign of failure, it’s an act of power. It is an opportunity to take the first step toward reclaiming your health and preventing the devastation of a heart attack or stroke. Medications are not symbols of weakness; they are tools, shields that protect and empower us to manage risk and protect our future.
The statistics are staggering. Nearly 45 percent of women over age 20 live with some form of cardiovascular disease. And life’s natural milestones — pregnancy, menopause and aging — bring unique challenges. Maternal health challenges, like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, can set the stage for long-term cardiovascular risk. Menopause also marks a critical time when a woman’s risk for heart disease and stroke increases. Yet, these stages in a woman’s life are often accompanied by silence rather than support. It’s time to raise awareness, increase representation in research, and encourage open conversations about women’s unique heart health needs.
The good news? Heart disease is largely preventable. Simple actions like eating a balanced diet, moving more, managing stress and knowing your numbers can transform lives. But prevention goes beyond lifestyle changes — tools like cholesterollowering drugs and blood pressure medications save lives. These are not symbols of failure or weakness; they are shields, empowering us to manage risk and protect our futures.
As women, we must challenge ourselves and each other to rewrite the script. Self-care is not selfish, it’s survival. Normalizing self-care means encouraging women to prioritize their well-being, to schedule that overdue doctor’s appointment and to take the time to walk, meditate or prepare a nutritious meal. It also means destigmatizing conversations about mental health, because stress, depression and anxiety all play a role in cardiovascular health. And yes, it’s about letting go of the shame around taking medications—they are not a sign of aging, but a badge of strength and control.
I refuse to accept a future where heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women. Together, we can change this. This Heart Month, I challenge every woman to protect herself, and to inspire her mother, sister, daughter or friend to do the same. Prevention is not just about saving lives; it’s about empowering them, enriching them and living them fully.
Let’s commit to rewriting the script — one heart at a time. Together, we can transform the future of women’s heart health and leave a legacy of strength, resilience and love. Because you matter. Your heart matters. And your story is worth protecting.
Nelly Kazzaz is a cardiologist at Crouse Health and St. Joseph’s Health and an American Heart Association board member.
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STEM goes Red
EAST SYRACUSE-MINOA GIRLS EXPLORE CAREERS IN STEM FIELDS
Today’s economy and tomorrow’s well-being depend on innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but a troubling gap exists when it comes to women in STEM occupations. Women make up almost half of employment across non-STEM occupations but just over 29 percent of the STEM workforce. That’s why the American Heart Association is bringing Go Red for Women’s STEM Goes Red to Central New York. Recently, a STEM Goes Red event, held at the Bill and Sandra Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital, addressed the underrepresentation of women in STEM and inspires young women to pursue rewarding careers in STEM fields.
STEM Goes Red, sponsored by Belden PPC, brings to life stimulating and impactful careers in STEM and gives participating students access to leading employers, local experts and an insider look at what a career in STEM could entail.
persistent disparities in women’s health. By equipping and inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers, we can ensure women are represented in critical sectors that impact health and well-being such as healthcare, research and technology.
The American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red launched in 2017 as part of the Go Red for Women® movement. For more than 20 years, Go Red for Women has served as a catalyst for change, improving women’s lives by advancing equitable research and care, advocating for inclusive health policies and raising awareness of women’s No. 1 health threat — cardiovascular disease.
“STEM Goes Red draws on the American Heart Association’s strong legacy of science, education and discovery, offering an immersive experience that propels young women into this exciting world,” said Denise McGraw, Go Red for Women director with the American Heart Association. “By ensuring a new generation of female scientists, doctors, inventors and changemakers, we’re taking critical steps to secure their future as well as our own.”
Of 100 female students working toward a bachelor’s degree, only three will work in a STEM job 10 years after graduation, leading to
During the four-hour interactive STEM Goes Red program, students from East SyracuseMinoa High School heard from a panel of local women representing a variety of STEM fields. Students broke into groups for hands-on breakout sessions, including an activity with fiber optic cables, a visit to the nursing school’s simulation lab and a HandsOnly CPR demonstration.
“STEM Goes Red is a vital initiative because it opens doors for young women to explore careers in science and technology and other areas where the gender gap is still far too wide,” said McGraw. “By inspiring the next generation of female leaders in STEM, we’re helping to build a more equitable future, where everyone has the opportunity to innovate and create solutions that can change the world.”
Talking Cursive
DOWNTOWN BREWERY LEANS INTO LOCAL HISTORY
Alyssa Dearborn
Across from Downtown Syracuse’s art deco Niagara Mohawk Building on Erie Boulevard, alongside the site of where the Erie Canal once flowed, is where Syracuse’s first brewery once stood. Today, that site is home to a different brewery. Although much has changed in Syracuse since the days of that first brewery, the woman and veteran-owned Talking Cursive often pays tribute to Syracuse’s history.
When you enter Talking Cursive, you are greeted by the familiar aesthetics known to many craft brewery fans. You are welcomed by cozy wood and brick features, warm lighting, and a whole line of beers on tap behind the bar. But if you look closer, you can also see the pride that Patricia Brooks and her husband have in Central New York. From framed posters highlighting their collaborations with the Erie Canal Museum to the names of their beers, the husband and wife team leans into all things local.
“I’ve always liked beer.” Patricia said when asked how she and her husband started brewing, “In the past, I’ve always had a style that I really liked, but I’ve always appreciated a lot of different styles of beer. The craft brewing boom started and my husband and I loved going to different breweries and tasting different beers. We’ve just enjoyed that.”
Enjoyment eventually turned into experimentation when she began receiving flyers in the mail advertising homebrewing systems. “I got it for us as a Christmas gift and we just started brewing every single weekend from that moment on.” she continued, “The weekend would come and we’d have a different style we’d want to brew and we just enjoyed it. My husband was super good at recipe creation and I was really good at making sure everything was sanitized and that process part of it. So it worked well for us to do that.”
When it comes to the creation of Talking Cursive’s beers, Patricia says that her husband is responsible for developing the recipes. However, she has a heavy hand in which beers are brewed and which beers are available on tap. She is also responsible for the brewery’s restaurant menu development.
“The cook who we hired stepped away to care for her aging parents, so I was kind of thrown in the kitchen at that time. So I started putting
my kitchen skills into place and am doing the restaurant menu development…I wear a lot of hats,” she said. “I do all of the accounting, I do payroll, I do the beer production reporting to the state. And I have a lot to say about the beers that are brewed. I know what I like and I’m pretty instrumental on what needs to be brewed. I’m a great consumer of beer. I love beer for sure.”
When asked about what goes into the creation of their beers, Patricia emphasized that the beers are inspired more by place than by specific ingredients.
“When [my husband] names things, he names things about Syracuse or the history of Syracuse. We really lean into the fact that we are on Erie Boulevard where the Erie Canal ran through. We’re in the building that was the site of the first brewery in Syracuse. We really lean into that. So we’ve done collaborations with the Erie Canal Museum.
Continued on page 12
Dr. Norma Cooney, MD, FACEP
Talking Cursive
We lean more into the feeling of what that beer is about than the style or the recipe. But he does work on different flavor profiles. We have a stout that is called Infantry Weather. It’s a very delicious stout. But then he’ll do different one-off versions. We have a French Toast Infantry Weather right now that people are coming in for specifically.”
Their Infantry Weather is one of the darkest, richest stouts you will ever taste. However, the French Toast Infantry Stout is accompanied by a touch of sweetness. When you smell the beer, you can observe sweet notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and, of course, maple syrup. It is as dark and rich as the original Infantry Weather, but this version of their stout leaves behind a slight sweet aftertaste. This seasonal brew also pairs perfectly with the Korean BBQ mac and cheese, another of Talking Cursive’s seasonal items. Their original mac and cheese is baked with buttery panko crumbs and pairs well with nearly any beer on tap, but the almost spicy BBQ sauce, tender beef, and green onions complement the sweet darkness of the stout well.
The craft beer industry is still a male dominated industry. In the Brewers Association’s last diversity study, it was reported that only 23.7% of breweries had a female owner. Despite this, Patricia and her husband do not see this as a hurdle. Instead, they see this as an opportunity.
“I don’t feel much different, personally, being a woman in the industry.” She said, “I think there were doors and avenues that were opened for us because I’m a woman and because my husband’s a veteran. I feel like we’ve got some opportunities that maybe not every male in the industry would have had. I think it’s a positive that I’m a woman in this business. I’m very familiar with being the only woman in my field. I’m a financial advisor by career, and I was always almost the only woman in the room.”
Talking Cursive leans into the power of women in the craft beer industry. Their award winning bohemian pilsner, Crispy Girls, is a testament to that. Talking Cursive has a variety of crisp, refreshing beers, including their sweet Rhubarb Raspberry Pie pastry sour and their Crash Into Me, an American lager inspired by a regionally famous bridge. Their Crispy Girls – a smooth, crisp beer that is a refreshing addition to any flight–remains a favorite among local beer drinkers.
“Our front house manager’s also a home brewer and beer advocate.” Patricia said about the origins of Crispy Girls. “We were all chatting one time and she said, ‘you know the guys who really like crisp, clean beers. But what about crispy girls? We love them too!’ So, we said we’re going to brew a beer and we’re going to have all of the guys sit out and the girls are going to brew this beer. So we did that and it’s one of our bestsellers. Every time we brew it, we have our front of house staff or some [women from places that carry our beers] come in and do a guest brew day with us.”
As a local brewery that respects local history, Talking Cursive also works to make a difference in contemporary times. From finding sustainable brewing solutions, donating to local organizations, or hosting Beer for Good events, Talking Cursive tries to be a business for local good.
“Giving back to the community is something we really strive to do.” she added, “We have Beer for Good events every month or every other month. We have events where we’ll donate to Paige’s Butterfly Run, Honor Flight, the food bank, things like that. We do a lot of charitable events that we are able to put out into the community.” SWM
Women’s Heart Health Q&A
Crouse Health, lead sponsor 2025 Syracuse Heart Walk
1
Why is it important to focus on women's heart health?
A: Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. Women often experience heart disease differently than men, and recognizing these differences can save lives.
2
How do heart attack symptoms in women differ from those in men?
A: While chest pain is the most common symptom for both men and women, women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms such as:
♥ Shortness of breath
♥ Nausea or vomiting
♥ Pain in the neck, jaw, back, or upper stomach
♥ Unusual fatigue
♥ Lightheadedness or dizziness
3
Can women have a heart attack without chest pain?
A: Yes, it's possible for women to have a heart attack without experiencing chest pain. This is why it's crucial to be aware of the other symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if they occur.
4
What are some risk factors for heart disease in women?
A: Common risk factors include: ♥ High blood pressure
♥ High cholesterol
♥ Smoking
♥ Obesity
♥ Diabetes
♥ Lack of physical activity
♥ Emotional stress and depression
5
How can women reduce their risk of heart disease?
A: Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can make a big difference:
Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Manage stress through relaxation techniques, hobbies, or seeking support from friends and family.
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels and follow your doctor's recommendations.
Are there any
6
special considerations for heart health during pregnancy?
A: Yes, pregnancy can increase the risk of heart disease later in life. Conditions like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes can have long-term effects on a woman's heart health1. It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and monitor your health closely during and after pregnancy.
SUPPORT HEART HEALTH AWARNESS MONTH - GO RED FOR WOMEN!
Now Featuring 2 Mammography Centers at our locations for performing 3D Mammography Screenings & Breast Ultrasounds! AWM provides a full range of gynecologic services in a quiet and comfortable private practice setting. Our services are devoted to addressing the individual needs and concerns of our patients. We provide routine and preventive care services, as well as a full range of minimally invasive surgical procedures performed in our fully accredited Surgical Center. For those requiring a hospital setting, AWM physicians can also provide surgical procedures at St. Joseph’s Hospital and several local surgical centers. Our comprehensive Obstetric services include low & high risk pregnancy; infertility; recurrent pregnancy loss; along with contraception and family planning. For more information, visit afwomensmed.com or call 315-422-2222 to make an appointment!
Michelle J. Auerbach, DO
Kaitlin Corona, FNP-C
Suchitra Kavety, MD
Kandice Kowalewski, RPAC
Sarah Schoch, MD
Cheryl A Luttinger RN, MSN, FNP-C
Catherine W. Bailey, MD, MPH
Cassandra Hunsberger, FNP-C
Kathleen Chanatry Rogers, DO
Mary Kate Hauck, PA-C
Kathleen Spillett, CNM Taylor Reardon, MSPAS, PA-C
Marly Francois, MD Christopher LaRussa, MD
Birx Nolan, MD
John Rosser, MD
KATIE SCHMID Building solid financial foundations
“Icome from a very long line of entrepreneurs, and I think because entrepreneurship was modeled to me from a young age, it’s always appealed” Katie Schmid, Independent Financial Advisor with PFS Investments Inc., said. However, with a degree in interior design, Katie did not always know that she would have a career in finance.
She has credited several influential people as the catalyst for wanting to empower others in financial matters, but her biggest influence was her father. “He can draw an idea out on a napkin and build something gorgeous.” she said, “He built the home I grew up in. And when it comes to the big stuff, he’s always there encouraging me to take risks.”
As district leader, Katie doesn’t swing a hammer or build houses. Instead, she spends her time building clients’ financial houses, and she does this from the ground up.
“Money is one of those things that touches every single area of our lives,” Katie said about her work, “and there’s a lot of stuff involved in building a sound plan. If it’s built in the right order, nothing will fall apart.”
If there’s a crack in someone’s financial foundation, or a leak in the roof of their plan, Katie is licensed in every area of business to fix it. Along the way, she teaches the facts about how money works and breaks down the concepts people need to know to achieve financial independence. She splits her time between working with families and individuals, partnering with local businesses to facilitate financial wellness seminars, and training her own growing team of representatives.
“Every foundation starts with having the right type of life insurance. I know it’s not sexy to talk about, but it’s important,” she explained. “Our number one financial asset is our ability to earn an income. It needs to be protected. Next, everyone needs a solid emergency fund because things happen when we least expect it. And if we don’t have an e-fund, we run the risk of snowballing debt we can’t get out of.”
One of the services Katie provides is creating debt freedom plans, showing people the fastest way to become debt free. About 80 percent of her business is dedicated to advising families on their long-term savings plans, both wealth accumulation and income distribution planning. It’s an area she especially enjoys because of the impact it has on people’s lives.
Even before working in finance, Katie can recall people feeling at ease with her. “People find it easy to open up to me.” she explained, “It’s a special feeling being able to provide a space where people feel they can share their biggest goals or fears with me. And that trust people place in me is something I take very seriously.”
Katie’s approach to advising is one of empowerment. No matter where a person is in their financial life cycle, she emphasizes that money is both logical and emotional. Through the education she provides, her clients are equipped to make sound financial decisions. She explains the importance of this education, saying, “There’s so much peace that comes from gaining insight and then acting on it. People who receive a solid financial education and a plan strategy to go with it aren’t panicking over a blip in the market and they’re not joking about never being able to retire. Their lives are being changed for the better and it has a ripple effect that extends beyond just them.”
Katie has made many plans for the year ahead. With her personal and professional goals in mind, she lives each day by working until she’s
proud of what she’s accomplished. Away from her office, Katie plans to continue volunteering with Clear Path for Veteran’s canine program, her involvement resulting from a conversation she once had at one of her financial wellness seminars. She states that the program has been a blessing to be a part of. She is also looking forward to continuing to serve as the WBOC’s Membership Director, which she says was “a happy and supportive place to land after leaving my 9-5 behind. I’ve met so many inspiring women through WBOC.” Katie is also part of the class for Leadership for Greater Syracuse 2025. SWM
Crossing paths, saving lives
HEATHER DRAKE BIANCHI AND JADE MCKENNEY’S SHARED HEART HEALTH JOURNEY
Kate Hanzalik
Eleven years ago, Jade McKenney ran a lap around the soccer field at Barry Park and she felt good. This twelve-year old was tenacious. When she wanted something, she fought hard to get it, and now she wanted to be a good team player, not just for the love of the game but because she wanted to belong. Such is the life of a middle schooler, but Jade’s situation was a little different.
A few months earlier, she collapsed and blacked out on the school track after running a lap. The doctors were unsure of the cause, so they ran tests and explained that modifications would need to be made available to her. She could do the workouts the coach assigned or try something different. That day at the park, she felt the pressure to do just as much as everyone else. She asked her coach if she could run another lap, and as she was running, she collapsed, lost consciousness, and time stopped. At least it did for her, not for Heather Drake Bianchi.
Heather was a few hours into her twelve-hour shift working as a paramedic, posted up in a Rural Metro ambulance near Barry Park, a location where paramedics, including Heather, typically weren’t placed given the shortage in an overburdened system. The day was quiet, so instead of getting gas station food like she did for every other shift, she and her partner Greg had time to get lunch.
Synchronistically, they headed in Jade’s direction and then a call came in from a dispatcher who announced that there was a pediatric cardiac arrest, a sudden collapse on a soccer field down the street, and that CPR was in progress. “I thought I misheard them because pediatric arrests don’t happen that much,” says Heather. “It’s not like kids have 30 years of hypertension and high cholesterol that they’re battling against.”
Sadly, pediatric cardiac arrests aren’t as uncommon as we might think. Each year, 22,000 children have heart attacks, according to
Continued on page 20
Merging technology and mindfulness to create happiness
the American Heart Association (AHA). Gender complicates these statistics. While heart attacks among young girls are rare, five percent of heart attacks in the United States happen to younger women, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among all women in the United States.
When Heather and Greg arrived at the scene, two off-duty nurses who had accidentally taken a wrong turn on their day off were already by Jade’s side, along with her soccer teammates and coach, who had been administering CPR. One of her teammates called 911, while the nurses stepped in to continue performing CPR. Heather and Greg ran towards Jade with a defibrillator in hand knowing they didn’t have much time. The park didn’t have an AED, so the fire department had their own to use, but Heather noticed that they hesitated to put the pads on Jade’s chest, which she says speaks to the protection of women’s modesty. But such protection can have dire consequences. Moreover, the AHA reports that women are less likely to receive CPR because many bystanders fear accusations of inappropriate touching or causing physical injury.
Heather intervened and followed her ABCs, a protocol she learned during paramedic training. First she checked on Jade’s airway, then her breathing, then her circulation. She and Greg put the pads on, shocked her twice, and her heartbeat came back, clocking in at 100 beats per minute.
En route to Upstate University Hospital, all that was left for Heather to do was monitor Jade’s heartrate and hope for the best. “We were so afraid that her heart was going to stop beating again because we didn’t know why it stopped beating in the first place,” she says.
Heather says the medical team at Upstate was phenomenal.
“I remember turning at the entrance to the trauma room and the pediatric cardiologist [was] sprinting into the room . . . We deal with emergencies all day, but we don’t ever run. But he sprinted in.”
When all was said and done for the paramedics, Heather walked out of the hospital feeling all the emotions she’d set aside for Jade’s sake. She thought she was going to vomit.
Jade ended up at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse. Today, the resilient 23-year-old says, “I just remember waking up and feeling this need to go to school but I just felt like my entire body was weighed down.” This experience was the prelude to many emotional months in and out of a hospital bed at University of RochesterGolisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. First, she had artificial valve surgery, then she got to go home. But, as Jade explains, “They realized I needed another treatment, which they were unsure of the second time, since they thought they had fixed my heart with the artificial valve replacement.” The medical team slowly deliberated on the best
course of action and ultimately decided on bypass surgery. “After that, I was feeling obviously awful initially but in terms of progress and recovery, I felt a lot better,” Jade says. “I actually learned I like running . . . Now I understand why people like it. You can go long distance, you feel good, you get the runner’s high. [Surgery] really changed my life.”
She looks back at her days in and out of school during this time, recalling how stressful life has been, and says she’s learned a lot about friendship. “I know some kids got close to me mainly just to get attention and publicity and their names out there. They would be really nice to me, and then as time went on newer, bigger things happened . . . They just were not friends,” she says. “People would ask, ‘Why do you get to leave?’ At the time, I was taking maybe two or three classes a day because I just physically felt exhausted and I couldn't stay awake long enough.” Her true friends were different. “I couldn't carry anything [above a certain] weight because of the issues it could cause on my chest, whether it was opening the stitches or causing any difficulties in terms of the healing process. I remember my friends carrying my bookbag in addition to theirs . . . [And] they would stand up for me if people were saying things . . . It felt kind of awkward getting that kind of special treatment, but it showed me that there are really good people out there . . . And looking back today, I'm really grateful they’re still in my life.”
Heather never forgot Jade as she went from being a paramedic to starting Cinemedics, a company that provided health and safety support for the Hollywood movie industry. “You pour everything that you are and every resource that you know into helping people so to think that you can just leave and forget about all those people, it’s not likely. You think about these cases over and over again,” Heather said. She moved back to Central New York in 2023, and noticing the scarcity of accessible pediatric care, she founded Drakos Clinical Dynamics, the first independent pediatric urgent care in Central New York, which now has three locations. She wanted to offer affordable care; she wanted a place parents could take their children late at night when they’re sick. And, as a new mother herself, she wanted to treat the women caring for their children. “Nine times out of ten, the mom is sick too and they’re probably exhausted, so the expectation is to treat them,” Heather said.
Just as tenacious as Jade, Heather accomplished all of this under the age of 40. “Now I have to actually start paying attention to my own heart health,” she says. “I want people to know that cardiovascular health shouldn’t start after the age of 40, that it’s actually starting to be looked at at the teenage level.”
Heather is the chairwoman of the 2025 Syracuse Go Red for Women campaign, a program sponsored by the AHA that is part of Heather’s
5 FACTS ABOUT WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH
1. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year.
2. Among females 20 years and older, nearly 45% are living with some form of cardiovascular disease and less than 50% of women entering pregnancy in the United States have good heart health.
3. Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats have been linked to an increased risk for high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
4. Stress may impact health, making it important for women to understand the mind-body connection and how to focus on improving both their physical health and mental well-being.
5. Most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.
—American Heart Association
larger efforts to raise awareness about women’s heart health and put AEDs in local parks. “My commitment [is] to raise money, put AEDs in parks, keep kids happy, which keeps moms happy, which keeps childhood obesity down, which keeps moms’ stress levels down. It’s a win all around,” she says. “With Jade, there was not an AED in that park. Let’s say that it was a normal day, and we weren’t there, she probably wouldn’t be alive today.”
Now Jade’s devoting her life to the wellbeing of others. She will be pursuing her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Syracuse University. She’s also an advocate for reducing stigmas surrounding mental health and using animal-assisted therapy for self-care.
“The best reason to go into healthcare is because you want to help someone else. And that’s what I want to do,” she says.
"My commitment [is] to raise money, put AEDs in parks, keep kids happy, which keeps moms happy, which keeps childhood obesity down, which keeps moms’ stress levels down. It’s a win all around."
HEATHER DRAKE BIANCHI
For more information about women’s heart health visit, https://www.goredforwomen.org/ en/about-heart-disease-in-women/facts.
To learn more about cardiovascular care and disparities across lines of gender and race, visit,https://www.heart.org/ en/news/2024/02/09/ the-slowly-evolvingtruth-about-heartdisease-and-women
Know your numbers with the Check It! Challenge
Kristy Smorol
Do you know your numbers? You probably get your blood pressure checked at every doctor’s appointment, but it’s easy not to pay attention. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is referred to as the silent killer because it often has no obvious symptoms to indicate that something is wrong. Many people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. The Check It! Challenge aims to change that fact.
The challenge is a four-month, community-wide program encouraging people to check, change and control their blood pressure. Participants are encouraged to check their blood pressure at least twice each month to help develop a habit and recognize blood pressure trends.
Now in its sixth year in Syracuse, the challenge is an evidencebased hypertension management program that provides educational materials, live interactive webinars and motivation. It is open to individuals, employers or community organizations and runs from February (American Heart Month) through May (American Stroke Month). Each month highlights a different topic including how to manage blood pressure, healthy eating habits, physical activity and stress reduction, heart attack and stroke warning signs and the impact of stress and mental health on your blood pressure.
“The Check It! Challenge is a great opportunity to take charge of your health,” said Brittany Taylor, the American Heart Association’s community impact director in Central New York who leads the program. “Learning new ways to make small changes in your life will have lasting positive benefits. Our goal in those four months is to help everyone start new healthy habits.”
Since the program began, Central New York in 2020, it has expanded beyond Syracuse. Now, the virtual programs reach across the entire state of New York.
In many cases, the human resources or wellness teams from local companies sign up as Check It! Challenge Champions. They implement the program within the workplace to help boost employee health and morale.
“Engaging with the Check It! Challenge Champions from participating organizations is my favorite part of the challenge,” said Taylor. “Hearing all of their fun ideas to engage staff and make it meaningful is truly a highlight.”
Amy Grover, sports medicine coordinator and wellness program coordinator at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialist, PC and American Heart Association board member in Syracuse, has enrolled her company in the program for all six years.
“The Challenge gives SOS employees easy-to-understand information, effective tools and tangible steps for monitoring their blood pressure on their own,” said Grover. “It’s critical that we keep an eye on our numbers year-round and not just one time at our annual physical.”
Nearly half of the American population over 20-years-old has high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it. Not treating high blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
“We’ve heard participants tell us that the Check It! Challenge made them responsible for their own health behaviors,” said Taylor. “People told us they hadn’t paid much attention to their blood pressure readings before, but the program made them more aware of what their blood pressure is and how to manage it.”
A common misconception is that high blood pressure rarely affects women. However, nearly half of all adults with high blood pressure are women, and they represent almost 52 percent of deaths from high blood pressure. In fact, women who are just 20 pounds or more overweight, have a family history of HBP or have reached menopause are known to have an increased risk of hypertension.
While high blood pressure isn't directly related to gender, throughout a woman’s life, health issues including pregnancy, pregnancy prevention (birth control) and menopause can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
The good news is, many risk factors for high blood pressure are things we can control. Healthy lifestyle changes like improving your diet, getting more exercise and avoiding tobacco and vaping can all help improve your blood pressure. While some factors, such as genetics, race, age or gender can’t be changed, your doctor may be able to help you manage your blood pressure.
To learn more about the Check It! Challenge, or to sign up as an individual or company, visit www.heart.org/CheckItNY. SWM
Kristy Smorol is the marketing communications director, Central and Western New York for the American Heart Association.
Romance on your plate
A VALENTINE’S DAY CULINARY CELEBRATION
Chef Eric Rose
Valentine’s Day, celebrated every February 14th, is steeped in history and tradition. Originating as a Christian feast day to honor Saint Valentine, the holiday has evolved into a global celebration of love and affection. Saint Valentine himself remains somewhat of a mystery, but he is often associated with acts of love and devotion, even in the face of adversity. Over time, Valentine’s Day became linked with romantic gestures, and by the 18th century, lovers in England began exchanging tokens of affection, including flowers and confectionery.
Why chocolates and flowers? The tradition dates back centuries. Flowers, particularly red roses, symbolize love and passion — a nod to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, who is often depicted with roses. Meanwhile, the gift of chocolate owes its roots to the Aztecs and Mayans, who believed cacao was a divine gift. By the Victorian era, chocolates were marketed as the perfect Valentine’s gift, combining indulgence with romance.
Whether you’re looking to continue these time-honored traditions or create a new one, this Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to connect over a special meal. With many restaurants overcrowded and offering limited menus, why not celebrate at home or even choose
RECIPES FOR ROMANCE
Ultimate Cannoli Tart
By Chef Eric Rose Yields: 8-10 slices
INGREDIENTS: CRUST
1 ½ cups Biscoff cookies (crushed fine) 3 Tbsp of sugar
6 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
INGREDIENTS: FILLING
14 oz mascarpone cheese ½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp ground cinnamon Orange zest from 1/3 fresh orange
¾ cup powdered sugar (divided) 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
Mini chocolate chips for topping Chopped pistachio for topping (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 325°F and spray a 9-inch tart or springform pan with non-stick baking spray.
2. Combine crushed cookies, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press the mixture firmly into the pan and bake for 7 minutes. Cool completely.
3. In a mixer bowl, gently combine mascarpone, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and ½ cup powdered sugar. Avoid overmixing.
4. Whip the cream with the remaining powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. Fold into the mascarpone mixture in two parts.
5. Spread filling into the crust, top with chocolate chips and pistachios and refrigerate for 2-3 hours until firm. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
a different day to enjoy a romantic dinner out? Here are some tips and recipes to make your Valentine’s Day special.
TIPS FOR A ROMANTIC VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER:
• Plan ahead. Whether dining out or staying in, reservations and preparation are key. Many restaurants book quickly, so consider celebrating a day early or late to avoid crowds.
• Set the scene. At home, create an ambiance with soft lighting, candles, and your favorite playlist. A beautifully set table can make any meal feel special.
• Simple yet decadent recipes. Focus on dishes that feel luxurious but are easy to prepare, leaving you more time to enjoy the evening with your loved one.
• Personal touches. Write a heartfelt note or toast your partner with a meaningful memory to make the evening truly unforgettable.
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love in all its forms — whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a shared laugh over dessert. May your day be filled with sweetness, connection, and a touch of culinary magic. SWM
Continued on page 26
Romance on your plate
Instant Pot Braised Short Ribs with Italian White Beans
By Chef Eric Rose Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, diced 3 carrots, chopped
6 beef short ribs Salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup dry red wine
1 cup beef broth 2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 Tbsp butter 3 cans cannellini beans, drained
1 cup fresh spinach
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Turn Instant Pot to sauté. Heat 1 tbsp oil, then sauté onion, celery, and carrots. Remove and set aside.
2. Season ribs with salt, pepper, and flour. Add remaining oil and brown ribs on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3. Deglaze pot with wine, scraping up browned bits. Add broth, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary. Return ribs and vegetables to the pot.
4. Cook on manual/high pressure for 45 minutes with a 15-minute natural release. Remove ribs and keep warm.
5. Heat butter in a pan with half the beans, some reserved vegetables, and braising liquid. Mash to desired consistency. Add remaining beans and spinach. Heat until spinach wilts.
6. Serve ribs over the bean mixture with additional sauce spooned on top.
CARY MULLIN
Combining a passion for heart health and STEM education
Janelle Davis
When Cary Mullin's eight-year-old daughter Charlotte underwent open heart surgery in April 2022 to repair a congenital heart defect, she had no idea this personal experience would lead her to become a passionate advocate for women's heart health and STEM education in Central New York.
As vice president and general manager of PPC Broadband, a division of Belden Inc., Cary's path to involvement with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement began at a Syracuse football game, where a chance conversation about her daughter's surgery led to a connection with the organization.
“I met someone involved with the Heart Association, and we were talking about my daughter and what she went through,” Cary said. “She connected me with Denise McGraw, and from there, I've been working with the Heart Association for over a year now.”
That initial connection has blossomed into a meaningful partnership. Through her role at PPC Broadband, Cary has helped establish executive sponsorship of Go Red for Women initiatives, and she now serves on the leadership. Her involvement with the American Heart Association has been eye-opening, particularly regarding women's heart health. “Everyone knows heart health is important, but I think being part of this group really showed me how crucial it is,” she explained. “Cancer gets a lot of attention, but the number one issue for women is heart issues. That was really eye-opening for me.”
Her daughter's experience with heart surgery heightened her awareness of the importance of preventative care and early screening. “My daughter was healthy but had a heart defect that needed to be fixed. It brings to mind how important it is to take your heart health seriously,” she said. “It's not just about addressing existing health issues – it's about preventative early screening and making sure your pediatrician is checking your heart starting when you're a kid.”
One aspect of heart health that particularly struck Cary was learning about the different ways heart attacks present in women versus men. “I had never heard that the symptoms of heart attacks between men and women are completely different,” she said. “The symptoms women get are often ones you might easily overlook – you might just not feel well or have back pain, rather than the crushing chest pain or left arm pain that men often experience.”
This knowledge has made her passionate about educating others about the importance of listening to their bodies and being their own health advocates. “Don't ignore it if you just don't feel like yourself,”she advises.
“It's hard to balance everything with work and families, but as much as possible, be educated, have conversations with your doctor regularly, and be an advocate for yourself. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion until you feel your concerns have been addressed.”
Cary's involvement with Go Red for Women recently expanded to include leadership of the STEM Goes Red initiative, combining her passion for heart health advocacy with her professional expertise in technology and engineering. The program, held at the Bill and Sandra Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital, brought together approximately 30 tenth and eleventh-grade girls from ESM High School for an interactive exploration of STEM careers.
As panel moderator for the event, Mullin helped facilitate discussions between students and successful women in various STEM fields, including a college engineering intern, a woman-led electrical company owner, and local meteorologist Kate Thornton. The students participated in hands-on activities, including CPR training and demon-strations with fiber optic cables, while learning about diverse career opportunities in STEM fields.
Through her company's partnership with the American Heart Association, Cary is also working to increase access to life-saving equipment in the community. "We're partnering with the Heart Association to sponsor the placement of AED devices in the community, particularly targeting youth sports areas,” she explains. “It's not just about having the devices available –it's about making sure people know where they are and how to use them.”
As both a mother and a woman leader in technology, Cary sees her role with Go Red for Women as an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
“Having a 10-year-old daughter who loves science and wears NASA suits, I'm excited for these future generations,” she shares.
“The fact that she's 10 and wants to be an astronaut – 20, 30, 40 years ago, a 10-year-old girl might not have thought that. It's really cool to see the progress and be a part of it. Her work with Go Red for Women and STEM Goes Red embodies this progress, uniting her passion for women's health advocacy with her commitment to expanding opportunities for women in technology and science.”
Through her continued leadership in both the business and nonprofit sectors, Cary remains committed to advancing women's heart health awareness while inspiring the next generation of women in STEM. Her journey from a concerned mother to a community health advocate demonstrates how personal experience can transform into meaningful action, creating positive change in the Syracuse community and beyond. SWM
WBOC hosts Intentional Networking event
On Jan. 8, Women Business Opportunities Connections hosted a session on intentional networking, featuring Christine Smith, who guided the 45 female entrepreneurs in attendance on how to market themselves with confidence and ease and leave a lasting impression. WBOC's next session is a Galentine's Gathering on Feb. 4, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Drumlins.
SPRINGER
The importance of preventative heart health
Lorna Oppedisano
From a young age, Kelly Springer knew what the future held — following her path of passion for helping people through nutrition. Born and raised in Central New York, Kelly wasn’t the first in her family to choose this career. She followed in the footsteps of her aunt, a registered dietitian.
“I saw that she could use her degree with her family and do these cool jobs in nutrition,” Kelly said. Kelly entered the field at age 16, when her aunt helped her join the team at Auburn Memorial Hospital. “I never veered off that path,” she said.
Kelly studied at West Virginia University to earn a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, and then a master’s degree in health education from SUNY Cortland. She garnered experience working in the field at Hillside Children’s Center, Cornell Cooperative Extensions and Auburn Hospital, where she worked as a clinical dietitian, specializing in bariatrics, critical care and nutrition support.
These positions all led to a big jumpingoff point, working as division dietitian for Wegmans. During her time there, she helped with a large campaign to reduce high blood pressure. The efforts saw success, bringing down blood pressure numbers among her colleagues.
While she was working for the company, Kelly was able to realize the reach of messaging through media, as well as the impact she could have by starting her own company. She thought, “If Wegmans would hire me, how many other companies across the United States would?”
program is a 12-step plan done either one-on-one in private practice or in a group setting within a workplace. Over the weeks, participants track their nutrition, exercise and hydration. “It’s truly a step-by-step understanding of nutrition and how to put it forward over the 12-week session,” Kelly said.
The program is making an impact on heart disease locally in the Central New York area. Kelly’s Choice recently finished a third round of the Transformation Program at Syracuse University. The 33 participants in the fall semester lost 175 pounds collectively, with an 80-point blood pressure reduction.
Kelly herself has a personal connection to the impacts of heart health; her grandfather had multiple strokes and her father has had multiple stents put in, she shared. “I don’t know a single family that hasn’t had a family member affected [by heart disease]. That’s a sad statistic when it’s preventable and treatable with health education,” Kelly said. “I think that America is ready to make this change.”
That thought inspired her to found Kelly’s Choice, a comprehensive nutrition and health company dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to invest in their wellness through informed, sustainable decisions, according to their website. Now, the company is made up of a team of more than 50 dietitians nationwide doing nutritional consulting. With the ability to work through telehealth, they can truly combat and prevent disease, she explained, adding that this health care is considered preventative, which makes it more accessible to more people.
“One thing I would like readers to leave with is that they can book their own personalized dietitian covered by their insurance plan to help reach their health goals in 2025,” she said.
One of the most popular programs Kelly’s Choice offers is their Transformation Program, created nine years ago. This flagship
She added a fact that’s reiterated often in this annual Go Red edition: heart disease is still the number one killer of both men and women in the country.
Doing her part in the heart health fight, Kelly got involved with the American Heart Association at first as a volunteer. As timing lined up with the end of her tenure on the Food Bank of Central New York board, a friend suggested she join the American Heart Association board. Kelly’s Choice and the American Heart Association proved to be a perfect fit.
“We can help in the way of education on how to lower your risk of heart disease by healthy eating practices,” Kelly said.
In 2024, she ran the Women of Impact campaign. Through the efforts of Kelly and her team, more than $17,000 was raised for the American Heart Association and its Go Red for Women movement.
Often within the Go Red movement, participants discuss their “why,” the driving factor behind their passion and efforts. Kelly’s why is the lack of nutrition education and her fight to fix that, she said. “Everywhere I go, I’m trying to get people a hint of information they can take away that day to improve their health,” Kelly said. SWM
For more information on Kelly’s Choice and to book a session with a dietitian, visit kellyschoice.org or call 315-710-0080.
HEATHER EVANS
Building a network of lifesavers
Norah Machia
The American Heart Association is working diligently to empower people of all backgrounds to perform a life-saving action that will increase a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival. It’s estimated that 9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital will die. In most of those cases, bystanders were unable to help, according to the organization. But the odds of survival can increase if CPR is started immediately, including an easy-tolearn version called Hands-Only CPR.
Heather Evans, the executive director of the Central New York chapter of the American Heart Association, said the national organization started a public awareness campaign to get more people to learn about the life-saving action to help someone suffering a cardiac emergency. The local chapter has been building partnerships with various businesses and organizations to teach Hands-Only CPR to anyone interested in learning, she said.
This type of CPR is easy to learn because there are just two steps –calling 911 and putting the operator on speaker phone, and then starting chest compressions (by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest). These compressions help to push the remaining oxygen through the body and keep vital organs alive until emergency medical help arrives. Hands-Only CPR is designed for use on adults and teenagers.
“This training makes people feel empowered to help,” said Heather, allowing them to be more than just bystanders. “Our goal is to enhance the CPR training and build a network of lifesavers throughout the region,” she said. “Hands-Only CPR training has been proven to be effective at getting blood pumping, and it’s easy to learn. It can help strengthen the chain of survival.”
Heather knows this from personal experience as well. Last December, she was part of an effort to help save the life of a man who had collapsed at a service area on the New York State Thruway. “On that Monday, the training all came back to me,” she said.
Her training includes CPR and operating an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). By the time she reached the man, “he was blue and in cardiac arrest,” she said.
One woman was already on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, while two men were taking turns doing Hands-Only CPR. There were probably another 30 other people gathered around, and it appeared “no one else knew what to do,” she said.
Heather rushed into the building and located an AED (the devices are required by state law to be at every Thruway service area). She hooked the pads to the man’s chest, but the machine directed her not to shock the patient (in some cases, the patient’s heart rhythm is not considered “shockable”). The two men continued their CPR efforts until emergency services arrived.
“I never found out what happened to the man,” Heather said. “But the woman knew to call 911, the two men started chest compressions, and I knew to try the AED.”
The hopeful part of the story is “how a group of people came together to try and save a life,” she added. “I told the woman and the two men they did everything they could have and gave him the best opportunity possible to survive.”
It was still, however, a “very emotional experience” that kept her sleepless for several nights, Heather said. “But having witnessed and been part of the rescue effort, it just reinforced to me personally that learning CPR and how to use an AED puts the power in people’s hands to help others. It can be a game changer.”
The local chapter has partnered with a variety of community coalitions to provide HandsOnly CPR demonstrations. “We have done it at basketball tournaments, Weight Watchers meetings, golf clubs, all over the place,” she said. Someone who has had a cardiac emergency or witnessed one often requests the training. The AHA also offers traditional CPR with Breaths training (which can be used on all ages and provides a certification when training is complete), along with AED training, she added.
Another initiative by the AHA is making blood pressure cuffs more accessible to the public, so people can check their blood pressure levels. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. “We started putting out blood pressure cuffs in public places, such as libraries, along with educational materials to help people better understand their options and if they need to pursue medical treatment,” said Heather.
Other locations include community centers in a range of different neighborhoods. “It’s important that we provide the information as well, so people can know what to do with their results,” she added.
Heather became the executive director of the American Heart Association of Central New York last year. She took over the helm as the American Heart Association celebrated its 100th year in 2024.
Her executive director position was initially for the American Heart Association of Mohawk Valley, but Heather eventually filled the role of the departing director of the Central New York chapter as well, so they were combined (although there are still two separate boards of directors, and separate Heart Walk fund-raisers).
“It made sense for me to oversee both communities,” she said. “I had grown up in Camillus and lived in Utica for 20 years.” There are also seven regional leaders who help oversee the large geographic area covered by the chapter.
Before joining the AHA, Heather was vice president of development at The ARC, Oneida-Lewis Chapter. In that position, she focused on writing grants and raising funds for various initiatives to help people with developmental disabilities thrive in the community.
A native of Camillus, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in business administration and management. After college, she was hired as a professional representative for Merck, specializing in cardiovascular drugs, arthritis and analgesic products during her time with the company.
“But I really wanted to be in the operating room,” to observe surgeries and be involved with the latest medical device technology, she said. Heather later accepted a clinical sales representative position with Ethicon, a division of Johnson & Johnson, and eventually became a regional specialist educating residents and new nursing staff on using the company’s latest technology for the best patient outcomes.
She later worked in sales management positions for other medical and surgical device companies, including Stryker. For several years, Heather helped manage the practice CNY Surgical, Utica, established by her husband, a general surgeon. The couple has a blended family of five children.
This year, the American Heart Association’s well-known fund-raising events, including the Heart Walks, will emphasize the importance of learning Hands-Only CPR. The walks in Syracuse and Utica will be in March, and the Watertown and Binghamton walks in April.
The majority of funds raised by the AHA are used for research, public health and education, professional education and training, and community services, with a smaller portion for administrative costs.
These events, including the Go Red For Women campaigns, also promote the work that the AHA does year-round, said Heather. “We focus on making connections and forming lasting relationships,” she added. For more information: www.heart.org SWM
Earns Small Business Grant
Jolene Fitch from Finger Lakes Fabrics has announced that she has earned a Synchrony Pillars Project Grant.
The Synchrony Pillars Project Grant recognizes small business owners who are committed to bettering their community. Her quilt shop in Skaneateles brings the local crafting community together to collaborate with nonprofits and host fundraisers, blanket drives, and hat drives.
When Fitch first opened her shop, she distributed 115 free fabric and pattern kits to the community, giving people a chance to hand make and design pillows that were then donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a charity that supplies beds to children in need.
Getting involved in your community can help your small business build strong connections with people and contribute to the well-being of your local neighborhood, she said. By actively participating in community events, supporting local initiatives or addressing area needs, you build goodwill, strengthen your relationship with potential customers and create a lasting impact.
RMS promotes Sabreanna Sinclair
Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) has announced the promotion of Sabreanna Sinclair to QualiSight call center trainer and quality ad-ministrator. Sinclair has been with RMS for two years and, in that time, has proven her abilities with training, auditing, and general oversight of their call center recruiting projects.
Currently, Sinclair works on a variety of projects conducting test calls and providing feedback to project managers. She is also responsible for training and mentoring new Telephone Survey Associates as well as conducting call audits to provide regular feedback ensuring quality data collection from all team members. Sinclair has also been a great asset with Snap programming and will continue to manage that aspect on general projects. In Sinclair’s expanded role as Call Center Trainer and Quality Administrator, she will coordinate team training and ensure quality on all projects in the call center as well as oversight of their CAHPS® vendors who supplement their CAHPS® calling projects.
“Sabreanna has proven to be a great mentor to her team members and a great asset to RMS. She is highly motivated to bring our overall quality to the next level, and I’m excited to see her shine in her new role,” shared Lauren Krell, Director of QualiSight Operations.
Liverpool Resident Promoted at Community Bank
Community Bank has announced the promotion of Dara Penny of Liverpool to senior vice president, chief marketing officer of Community Financial System Inc.
With over 15 years of exper-ience in marketing, advertising, brand development and customer engagement, Penny is set to lead the organization’s marketing efforts into its next phase of growth and innovation. As chief marketing officer, Penny will oversee the strategy and implementation of all marketing and advertising initiatives, as well as corporate communications for Community Financial System Inc., and its subsidiaries: Community Bank, Benefit Plans Administrative Services Inc., OneGroup NY Inc. and Community Bank Wealth Management. Her focus will be on amplifying all four businesses’ presence in the markets they serve by fostering customer loyalty and supporting the company’s broader strategic objectives.
Since joining Community Bank in 2011, Penny has played a vital role in transforming the bank’s marketing initiatives. From spearheading successful brand campaigns to launching new locations, Penny’s customer-centric vision has consistently driven growth and deepened customer relationships. “Dara’s leadership has been essential to our growth and success,” Community Bank Chief Human Resource & Administration Officer Maureen Gillan-Myer said. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience, as well as her deep under-standing of our brand, commitment to the customer experience and strategic mindset, continues to set us apart in the marketplace as a leading choice for customers along their financial journey. We are pleased to recognize Dara for her efforts and we look forward to supporting her continued success in this critical role.”
Penny is active in her community, volunteering her time with various local organizations and serving on the Syracuse Board of Directors for the American Heart Association since 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, became a certified financial marketing professional in 2021 and lives in Liverpool with her family. This internal promotion reflects Community Bank’s commitment to nurturing and recognizing exceptional talent from within. Penny’s appointment underscores the bank’s focus on fostering leadership that understands its core values, customers and vision for the future.
Thursdays through Feb. 27
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
What: Enjoy an interactive murder mystery experience set in the most lawless place on the Old West. What makes this place so bad? That would be you, pardner. Presented by the Acme Mystery Company. Where: The Spaghetti Warehouse
689 N Clinton St, Syracuse, NY 13204.
When: 7 p.m.
Info: $46.99 plus tax and gratuity. www.syracusespaghetti.com/offers-and events?t=1737136289#event.
Every Friday
Friday Night Vibes
What: Start the weekend with food, a flight and live music. Where: The Tasting Room at Epicuse 330 S. Salina Street Syracuse, NY 13202. When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Through Sun., Feb. 16
“Pieces of my Life” Art Exhibit
What: Fabric artist and founding member of Cazenovia Artisans, Sue Ellen Romanowski, will exhibit art quilts from her 22 years with the organization. Where: Cazenovia Artisans
39 Albany St, Cazenovia, NY 13035.
Wed., Feb. 5
Galentine’s Gathering
What: Join the WBOC for a night of connection and creativity! Network, make creative keepsakes and foster community. Where: Bistro 1926, Drumlins Country Club
800 Nottingham Rd, Syracuse, NY 13224. When: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Info: $25 for non-members. RSVP. www.wboconnection.org.
Thu., Feb. 6
Chocolate Discovery
What: Join for a sweet night and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, sample chocolate, and see a star-crossed lovers planetarium show in the ExploraDome.
Where: The MOST
500 S Franklin St, Syracuse, NY 13202. When: 6 p.m.
Info: $80 for couples, $50 for individuals. www.most.org/chocolate-discovery/?t=1737135520.
Fri., Feb. 7
Wear Red Day
What: National Wear Red Day, is the icon day of American Heart Month. On the first Friday in February, join us as we wear red and help raise awareness of women's No. 1 killer –cardiovascular disease.
Fri., Feb. 14
Everson is for Lovers
What: Join for the opening of “Making American Artists” and a Valentine’s Day celebration. Live performances by the Syracuse Orchestra. Sweet and savory bites from She Fancy, couples art activities, cash bar and guided tours.
Where: The Everson
401 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY 13202
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Info: $50 for non-members, $25 for members. Limited space. www.everson.org.
Sat., Feb. 15
Galentine’s Day
What: Treat yourself or your gals to Galentine’s fun! Shop from local vendors, browse books and enjoy cafe treats.
Where: Parthenon Books
333-335 S Salina St, Syracuse, NY 13202
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 12
26th Annual Charity Preview
What: Marks the kickoff of the Syracuse Auto Expo. All money raised goes to the 13 charities who sell tickets to the event. Enjoy food and drinks as Syracuse’s most generous VIP’s come out dressed in their finest.
Where: The Oncenter
800 S State St, Syracuse, NY 13202
When: 6:30 p.m.
Info: https://heartland.hyfin.app/TP7VJPQMZ29Q/paymentLink
Sat., Feb. 22
Owl Prowl
What: Join to experience the nighttime world of owls! Learn how to spot owls in the woods and about how they survive at night.
Where: Baltimore Woods
4007 Bishop Hill Rd, Marcellus, NY 13108
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Info: www.baltimorewoods.org/event/owl-prowl-nighttime-ninjas.
Wed,. Feb. 26-Sun., Mar. 16
King James
What: It's a story about slam dunks,upsets and bonding over the love of a game.
Where: Syracuse Stage 820 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13210.
Info: Tickets available at www.syracusestage.org.
Sun., Mar. 2
Colloca Bridal Show
What: 4th Annual Colloca Bridal Show-Fashion Show by Bliss Bridal. Join us on the Estate to bring your wedding planning dreams to life!
Where: Colloca Estate Winery Grand Ballroom14678 West Bay Road, Sterling.
When: Noon to 3 p.m.
Info: visit collocawines.com
